Burnout arrives slowly and then all at once. You keep functioning — meetings attended, deadlines met — while something underneath quietly runs out. By the time most people name it, they've been running on empty for months.
Three signs that matter
- Exhaustion that rest doesn't repair — weekends end and you're still tired
- Growing distance or cynicism about work you once cared about
- A sinking sense that nothing you do makes a difference
These signs are informational, not a diagnosis. But if two of the three feel familiar, it is worth taking seriously — burnout that is ignored tends to deepen, and it often pulls sleep, mood, and relationships down with it.
What recovery actually looks like
Recovery is rarely one dramatic resignation. It is usually smaller and more sustainable: renegotiated boundaries, rebuilt rest, honest conversations, and — often — a counsellor helping you untangle what is workload, what is workplace, and what is the story you tell yourself about worth.
Counselling for burnout is practical. Expect to work on energy budgeting, saying no without guilt, and separating your value from your output.